Traffic signal



CJ i

form a. iranienne, or sritiiierinnn, ivirissnoiiusnrrs.

v 4 'risnrro sieivAL.

Application filed ,July 12,

To ZZ whom t may cmwein:

Be it known thatl, JOHN A.' HAMBERG, a citizen ot the United States ot America, and a resident of Springtielc, in the county oi Hampden and State ot Massachusetts, h `ve invented a new and usetul Traiiic Signal, oit which the following is a specihca tion.

illy invention relates to improvements in devices designed to be located in main thoroughitarcs, usually at the intersection of streets, :tor the purpose of being manually operated to direct trailic, and consists generally oit a standard and an upright movably connected. with said standard, means to limit such movement, a peculiarly constructed head mounted on said upright and provided with direction-indicating elements2 and operating means 'for certain ot said elements, together with such other parts and members as maybe necessary or desirable in order to render the device complete and serviceable in every respect, all as hereinatter set forth.

The primary object of my invention is to produce a comparatively simple and inexpensive, compact, and easily operated ti-allie signal, with which the operator, by hand manipulation, is able to set the signal quiclily to indicate the direction or directions to .be taken by vehicles and pedestrians, and

to make the necessary and almost constantly occurring changes.

Another object is to provide a device ot this (,fharacter with controlling means which can be so readily operated or manipulated that very little skill is involved in such operation, and the amount ot attention required therefor is not suiiicient to prevent the operator 'from giving'all the attention necessary to his ;,iuroundings, irrespective of the sigual.

.li iiirthcr object is to rousti'ilct the device of lien parts, and iii suoli a manner that it will not he seriously oi' even iilatezially at :techni by the elements.

Other object-i and ad 'antages will appear in the course ot the 'following description.

l attain the objects'; and secure the advantages ot my invention, by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a tratic signal which embodies a practical form ot my invention, and wherein both stop arms 1921. Soral vN0. 484,056.

are extended, portions of the supporting members being broken out near the bottom; Fig. 2, a side elevation of said signal, without the lower portion, wherein one ot said arms is in its vertical position; a portion ot the other ot said arms being broken out; Fig. 3, an enlarged side elevation ot the block or head which carries said arms; Fig, 4, an enlarged, central vertical section through said head; Fig. 5, an enlarged bottoni plan of said head; Fig. 6, an enlarged top plan, with a portion broken away, ot the collar which serves as a supporting and limiting or stop member for the rotatable elements; F ig. 7, an enlarged bottom plan ot said collar; 8, an enlarged top plan ot the collar at the top ot' the supporting sleeve; l? `9,'a side elevation, with the exception or the lower portion, ot the signal as illustrated in the first view, but here the rotatably adjustable elements are at rightangles to the position which they occupy in said lirst view, and, Fig. l0, a sectional detail of one of the adjustable connections `tor operating the arms, this view being on a larger scale than are the other enlarged views.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views.

The main supporting element or standard of this signalgprefera-bly consists ot a fairly heavy basel, and an integral sleeve 2 rising from the centerot said base. Secured by any suitable means to the top oi the sleeve 2 is a lined collar 3, which collar is cut away ,'r on top at l to provide two stops 5. liioiinted to rotate in the sleeve 2 is an upright in the torni ot a vertical iod 6. The rod 6 is the element of the signal whereby is had rotary adjustment on. avertical axis.

'rdinarily the rod 6 rests at the bottom on the bottom oit the passage in the sleeye 2, which passage may extendinto the base l,

but provision is made tor supporting said rod at higher elevation should occasion ieipiire, as will presently appeal'. `Such provision may be dispensed with.

A collar 'l isinounted on the rod G above thecollar 3, and` secured to said rod by means bears on the top of the collar 3, and the lug' 9 is received in the opening Ll* in said lastnamed collar. lt is clear, therelore, that, when the collar 7 is rotated, the movement thereof is limited by the lug' 9 which comes into contact with one or the other oi the stops 5, according to the direction of such rotation, because said stops are in the path of said lug. The parts and members are so proportioned that oneourth oi a revolution is permitted the collar 7 and the rod 6 with the parts and members carried thereby, that is, a quarter-turn in one direction trom one ot the stops 5, and a fpiarter-turn in the other direction from the other oi said stops.

The lugs 10 are preferably both on one side oi :i vertical plane passing through the arial renter oli the collar 7. so as to make possible the use of a shorter pair of operating levers 1l than would otherwise loe possible. It the axis common to the lugs 10 intersected the axial center of the collar 7, the levers 11 would necessarily have to be longer, as will presently be made clear. Each lever 11 is pivotally connected, intermediate of its ends at 12, to the outer end oi one ot the lugs 10, and such lever is pron vided at one terminal with a handle 13. Pivotally connected with the terminal of each lever 11 that is opposite to the terminal to wh ich, its handle 13 is attached is the lower terminal of a rod 111.

A head 15 is mounted on the top of the rod 6, and a collar 16 is secured to said rod, by any suitable means as a set-screw 17, at a point between said head and the collar 7. The collar 16 is provided with oppositelydisposed, horizontal lugs 18 with the outer terminal of' which are pivotally connected, at 19-19, a pair of levers 20. ln the present construction each pivot 19 is nearer one end than the other of its lever 20. lVhen both et the levers 2O are disposed in one of their extreme positions they cross each other, and the shorter arms thereof are below and the longer arms thereof above the horizontal plane oit the pivots .19, as shown i'n li 1; when both oi said levers are disposed in the other of their extreme positions they are horizontal and in parallel relation with each other, with the shorter arm oil each adjacent to the longer arm o'l the other; and when one oil? said levers is in one ot' the extreme positions and the other ol" sA id levers in the other extreme position they are relatively disposed, either as illustrated in Fig, 2 or with the relative posh tions el. said levers interchanged. Y

The shorter arms of the levers 2() are operatively connected with the levers l11 at the terminals opposite to those to whichthe handles 13 are attached, and the connecting mediums might consist merely et the rods 111-. ln order, however, that complete and adequate provision be made for the vertical adjustment ot the rod 6, the connections in question are adjustable, and in the present example comprise in addition to said rods 1l a pair of tubular members or sleeves 21. lilach rod is received in one oi the sleeves 21, and the upper terminal of such sleeve is pivotally connected at 22 with the shorter arm oit one of the levers 20, The sleeves 21 may be reentorced at their lower terminals,

and they are provided with thumb-screws 23 which are tapped into and through said sleeves to engage the rods 1.4i.

ll pon `grasping either handle 13 and r0cking its lever 11 to elevate the end thereof with which one ot the rods 1li- 'is pivotally connected, as at 24, said rod and with it the coimccted sleeve 21 is elevated, and the lever 2() with which said sleeve is connected is rocked into a horizontal position. find upon grasping either ot such handles and rocking; its lever to depress the end thereof with which. one et the rods 11i is pivotally connected, said rod and with it the connected sleeve 21 is carried downwardly, and the lever 2() with which said sleeve is connected rocked into an oblique position.

ln the event it is desired, in the present construction, to raise the rod 6, so as to locate the head 15 and members supported and carried by said head at a higher elevation, it is simply necessary to loosen the thumbscrews 8 and 23, -raise said rod in the sleeve 2 as tar as may be desired, relocate the collar 7 in proper relation to the collar provieed said first-named collar has been carried up with said rod, and retighten said thumb-screw El, and also retig'hten said thumb-screws 23, care vlirst being taken to preserve the iiormer relative position between the levers 1.1 and 20. lll/'hen the rod 6 is elevated it carries with it the collar 16 and the levers 2 f, and causes the sleeves 21 to be drawn upwardly on the rods 1li. ln this manner the connections between the levers 11 and 20 are lengthened. Such connections may be shortened in a ,generally similar manner in the event the rod 6 he lowered as will readily be understood. Vertical adjustment of the rod 6 in no way affects the operation oit the device, which operation will subsequently be explained in liull.

The head 15 is preterably a hollow cube having,r delineated on two oppositelvdisposed sides thereof the word Go, and pivotally connected with the other oppositelydisposed sides thereolt two stop arms 25 in the shape of arrows. The word Stop is delineated ou what um); he termed the front side ot each arm The head 15 is rigidly attached to the top ot the rod 6, and a/laiitern 26 is mounted on and rigidly attached to the top of said head, The lantern 26 may have four light openings therein with Aelasses or lenses ot different colors in such openings, as, tor example, green glasses or oil lenses in the openings which correspond with the sides of the head 15 on which the word (lo is delineated, and red glassesor lenses in the openings which are on the same sides with the arms 25.

The inner or ripper terminal ot each arm 25, according to the position of said arm, is rectangular, of a size to correspond with the side of the head against which such part is located., and `mounted on a hub 27 that extends horizontally from one side or the other of a horizontalcrosspiece 28 in said head. A rod 29 has its lower terminal connected at 30 with the longer arm of one oit the levers 20, and its upper terminal connected at 31 with one `of the arms 25. The rods 29 pass upwardly through and operate in slots )-`l2 in the bottom olf the head 155, and connect from the inside ot said head with the arms 253. rl'hc part of each arm 25 `which is mounted on one of the hubs 27, and uith which one of the rods 29 is connected., designated by the numeral 33, and the point of connection between such rod and such part is so located as to enable the arm operated by said rod to `be rocked on its hub 27 into a horizontal or a vertical position. ln order to the limits ot movement ot each arm 25, so that said arm shall be stopped when it reaches either a horizontal or vertical position, according to the di.- rection ot movement, a generally annular opening is formed in the head 15 around. the outer terminal portion oteach hub 27, and the edge of such opening is shaped to produce a pair oit stops 34 and a pair ot stops Thus there are four `of such stops in each oi'i the perforated sides oit the head 15 so that the arms 25 and he operating mechanism therefor can be used interchangeably, although only two ot the stops are einployod on a side, and those employed on one side are diametrically Yopposite to those employed on the other side. lllhen the mechanism is operated to throw either arm 25 into a horizontal position, the upper bent terminal of the rod 29 that is connected with and directly operates such armv encounters its stop 3l at the instant said arm arrives in said position. and so prevents further movement in the saine direction, and retains or assists in retaining the arm in said position. in Fig. 3 the position ot the bent head of one oi the rods 29 relatire to the stop Bt with which said head is in engagement. when the attaclied arm .is positioned horizontally` is indicated by dotted linee- 3G: and the position of said bent head relatiie to the stop 35 with which said. head is in engagement, when the attached arm is positioned vertically, is indicated by dotted lines 37.

The arms are held in place on the hubs by means oil" screws 35i- 33, and the required tension for said arms is obtained ley means of two springs 39. Each screw 38 is tapped into the outer end of one oi'.p the hubs 27, and washers l0 and Ll1 are interposed, respectively, between the head of said screw and the contiguous part of the arm 25 which is held in place by said screw, and between said part and one of the springs 39. Each spring 39 is introduced between a shoulder '2 at the inner end of one of the hubs ,27 and the washer il1 mounted on said hub. Thus it is seen that the springs 39 bear against the washers 4-1 and force them with. the parts 33 of the arms 25 outwardly against the washers 40 and the heads of the screws 38, so that said parts are always subjected to a certain amount oi frictional resistance, which amount is suflicient to retain said arms in whatever position they may be located. The washers ll0 are generally made of fiber and the washers 41 ot metal.

The rod 6 with all attached and supported parts above the collar 3 can be rotated, within the limits lined by the stops 5, upon graspsuch handle in the required direction, and either arm 25 can be swung into either a horizontal or vertical position by grasping the handle 13 of the lever 11. which operates said arm through the medium ot' the intervening connecting members 1land 21, lever 20, and rod and rocking said lever 11 on its pivot 12. lf both handles 13 be grasped. and actuated to rock both levers 11, the two arms 25 are actuated or operated simultaneously.

llVhen the arms 25 are disposed as shown in Fie'. 1. the signal is set to stop the tratlic in both directions which are at right-angles to said arms. and to open the traiiic in the directions parallel Vwith said arms.

When it is desired, as is the case where one street intersects another without continuing beyond the same, to signal tor the stopping of the traffic on one side and to leave it open on the other side oit the main thoroughfare, the arms 25 are disposed as shown in 2, wherein one of said arms is positioned horizontally and the other vertically. rlhe relativepositions of the arms in this case are interchanged when the cond itions require that the left-hand. instead of ing either of the handles `13 and actuating the rightdiand arm he disposed horizontally and. the other vertically.

llpon giving the rod ti a quarter turn to carry the lug 9 il'rom the rear stop 5 into couvtactwith the forward stop d, assuming that the signal as it stands in the first view be in tront ot the operator, the parts and .ineinhers carried and supported by the rod 6 are disposed as shown in 9, and the signal is set to open the traiiic in the directions previously closed bythe arms 25, and to close the tratlic in the directions at rights angles thereto.

From the foregoing it iS plain that this signal affords ample means `tor controlling tratlic in practically any place where the same may be employed, and this with the utmost ease and facility.

The levers 2O are made with long and short arms for the purpose ot reducing the amount ot movement required oit the levers 11 to operate the arms 25.

The openings in the sides ot the head 15, through which the hubs 27 extend, are closed at all times by the parts 33, so that dust and rain and snow are eXcludethand the construction of the signal as a whole is ot such a nature that it is not seriously affected by the elements.

The lateral arcs i3 between the stops 34 and 35 mark the paths described by the bent parts or heads oil the rods 29 in their movement in raising and lowering` the stop or indicator arms 25, and may serve guides tor said heads, that is to say, two ot such arcs may so serve, it being` remembered that said rods extend into the head 15 from bel-ow and then turn outwardly to engage or be engaged with the parts 33e-see Fig. 3. v

More or less change in the shape, size, construction, and arrangementolf some or all ot the parts of this signal, in addition to those hereinbetore specifically pointed out, may be made without departing` 'from the spirit ot my invention or exceeding the scope ot what is claimed.

l am aware that devices or appliances employed for trattic sional purposes have been provided with rotatable and oscillatory elements, and do not, therefore, seel; claim broadly such a device or appliancen Vilhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a trallic signal, with a standard, ot an upright rotatably supported by said standard and provided with a head, indicator1 arms pivotally connected with said head, and arranged and adapted to be extended in opposite directions beyond two opposite sides thereo'lf, and means for rotating,y said upright and actuating;` said arms independently into and out ol an approximately horizon al position.

Q. The combination, in a trallic signal, with a standard, oll an upright rotatably supported by said standard and provided with head, said bead having;- liqed indicator devices on two ot' its opposite sides, indicator arms pivotally .-onnected with the other two opposite sides of said head, and means to rotate said upright and actuate saidV arms independently into and out olf an approximately horizontal position. f

3. The combination, in a tratlie signal, with a standard, of an upright rotatably supported by said standard and provided with a head, indicator arms pivotally conn nected with said head,`and means, consisting,` in part ot a pair of levers, tor rotating said incassi upright and actuating,- said arms independently into and ont oi an approximately horizontal position.

l. The combination, in a tra'liic signal, with a standard, ot an upright rotatably supported bysaid standard and provided with a head, indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, means to actuate said varms independently into and out olf an approximately horizontal position, and means to adjust said upright vertically. l

5. The combination, in a tra'llic signal, with a base and sleeve, said sleeve being provided with stops, of a rod rotatable in said sleeve and provided with a head, a collar secured to said rod and having a stop mem ber to cooperate with said stops, operating levers pivotally connected with said collar, indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, and operating means between said levers and said arms.

G. The combination, in a tra'tlic signal, with a base and sleeve, ot a rod rotatable in said sleeve and provided with a head, a collar adjustable on said rod and adapted to be supported by said sleeve, operating levers pivotally connected with said collar, indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, a second sleeve secured to said rod, levers pivotally connected with said second sleeve, adjustable connections between said tiret-named and said second-named levers, and connections between said second-named levers and said arms.

7. The combination, in a traliie signal, with a oase and'sleeve, oit a rod rotatable in said sleeve and provided with a head, a 'collar adjustably secured to said rod and adapted to be supported by said sleeve, operating levers pivotally connected with said collar, indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, a second collar secured to said rod, levers pivotally connected with said second collar, connections between said first-named and said second-named levers, said connec tions comprising rods connected with one pair ot said levers, tubular members in which said rods are receivable connected with the other pair o'l' said levers, and means to bind said rods to said tubular members, and rods between said secondaiamed levers and said arms.

The comliiii'uilion, in a trallic signal, with a base and sleeve, aud a collar secured to said sleeve and provided with stops, ol' a rod rotatable in said sleeve and having a head, a collar secured to said rod and provided with a luy,` to operate between said stops and limit the rotary motion ot said rod, said second-named collar being receivable on said first-named collar, operating levers pivotally connected with said secondnamed collar, indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, and operating mechanism between said levers and said arms.

CTI

raadsel 9. The combination, in a traffic signal, with a standard, of an upright rotatably supported by said standard, and provided with operating levers, a head, and an inten mediate collar, levers pivotally connected with said collar in such a manner that they are unequally divided by their pivots, connections between said tiret-named levers and the short arms of said second-named. levers,

indicator arms pivotally connected with said head, and connections between the long arms ot said second-named levers and said indicator arms.

l0. The combination, in a traffic signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard and provided with a head, said head having fixed indicator devices on two of its opposite sides, indicator arms pivotally connected in offset relationship laterally with thehother wo opposite sides or said head, said iiXed indicator devices being between the parallel planes of said arms, and mechanism adapted to operate said arms either singly or both together.

1l. The combination, in a trah'ic signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard, a head mounted on said upright and provided with hubs and stops, indicator arms mounted on said hubs, and operating mechanism for said arms, said mechanism consisting in part ot rods which have bent parts to engage said arms, and said stops being in the paths of said bent parts.

12. rlhe combination, in a traiiic signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard, a head mounted on said upright and provided with hubs, indicator arms mounted on said hubs, resilient means to impart rictional resistance to said arms, and operating means for said arms.

lli. rThe combination, in a tratiic signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard, a head mounted on said upright and provided with hubs and stops, indicator arms mounted on said hubs, resilient means to impart frictional resistance to said arms, and operating mechanism for said arms, said mechanism consisting in part of longitudinally movable rods having bent parts to engage said arms, and said stops being in the paths of said bent parts.

ist. The combination, in a traiiic signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard, a head mounted on said upright and provided with shouldered hubs, indicator arms mounted on said hubs, screws 'tapped into said hubs with the heads of said screws outside oii said arms, springs inter` posed between said shoulders and said arms, and longitudinallyemovable operatingmembers for said arms and connected therewith.

l5. rlhe combination, in a traiific signal, with a standard, of an upright carried by said standard, a head mounted on said upright and having openings in two sides thereof, the edges of said openings forming stops, and said head being provided with hubs, indicator arms mounted on said hubs, and operating mechanism for said arms, said mechanism consisting in part of longitudinally-movable rods which extend into said head and have bent parts that extend through said openings to engage said arms, and said stops being in the paths of said bent parts.

JUHN A. HAMBERG.

' lWitnesses:

F. A. CUTTER, C. C. WEST. 

